The Australian federal government has committed up to A$26 million to Perth-based technology company Element Zero to advance an electricity-powered green iron pilot project.

Funded through the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the grant supports an overall A$53.6 million initiative to produce low-emission, high-purity iron from local hematite and magnetite ores.

The project will deploy an electrochemical ironmaking process utilizing molten salt to eliminate coal usage. Operating at 400-450°C, substantially lower than conventional blast furnaces, the system can readily integrate with intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

The development will roll out in two stages, beginning with a 1-tonne-per-day facility before scaling up to 10 tonnes per day.